The Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation announced that it received a historic $10 million gift to endow the position of Artistic Director. Daria L. Wallach, Chair of AILEY’s Board of Trustees, is providing this generous contribution to the organization. The gift represents one of the largest endowments ever made to support dance leadership in America.
To honor her contribution, the organization will name future leaders in the role the Daria L. and Eric J. Wallach Artistic Directors. This permanent naming ensures her legacy will be connected to AILEY’s leadership for generations to come. The endowment provides financial stability and flexibility that dance organizations rarely enjoy compared to museums.
Rare Cornerstone Support in the Dance World
Bennett Rink, AILEY’s executive director, emphasized the unprecedented nature of this endowment for dance organizations. “It is not uncommon for the leaders of art museums to hold endowed positions, but in the field of dance, it is extremely rare to have such cornerstone support,” Rink said in a press release. This financial structure typically exists only in more established art forms.
“We are immensely grateful to Daria Wallach for having the vision to create this endowment, and by doing so to give AILEY the flexibility to invest in artistic initiatives, foster new talent, and extend the artistic excellence that has defined the Company for more than six decades,” Rink continued. The gift transforms how the organization can plan for its future.
Sustaining AILEY’s Legacy and Growth
Daria L. Wallach highlighted her longstanding connection with AILEY in explaining her motivation for this transformative gift. Wallach praised the organization’s profound cultural, intellectual, and emotional influence on both students and audiences worldwide. Her relationship with the company spans years of dedicated board leadership and philanthropic support.
With this gift, Wallach aims to help sustain AILEY’s legacy and fuel its continued growth into the future. The philanthropist notes that she made the gift in support of the organization’s current director, Alicia Graf Mack. Her confidence in Graf Mack’s leadership vision inspired this substantial investment in the company’s future.
Alicia Graf Mack’s Historic Leadership
Alicia Graf Mack, a former AILEY dancer, became the organization’s fourth artistic director in November 2024. Her appointment marked a significant transition in leadership for the renowned dance company. Graf Mack brings both insider knowledge and fresh vision to the role she now holds.
“It is a true honor to assume this title and to celebrate Daria Wallach’s transformative gift,” Graf Mack said in a press release. “Daria’s generosity and guidance have shaped AILEY in profound ways, and because of that commitment, we are better equipped than ever to create boldly, invest in future generations of artists, and expand access to Alvin Ailey’s extensive legacy.”
Investing in Future Generations of Artists
The endowment will allow AILEY to invest more substantially in developing the next generation of Black dancers and choreographers. This commitment ensures that talented young artists receive the training, mentorship, and opportunities they need to succeed. The organization has always prioritized nurturing emerging talent while honoring its founder’s vision.
Additionally, the financial stability provided by the endowment enables long-term artistic planning and experimentation. Directors can take creative risks and pursue ambitious projects without constant financial uncertainty threatening programs. This freedom to innovate while maintaining excellence has defined AILEY since its founding.
Alvin Ailey’s Founding Vision in 1958
Renowned choreographer Alvin Ailey established the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1958 during a transformative period. His vision centered on creating a company that celebrated the Black experience through modern dance. The organization broke barriers and challenged perceptions about who could be dancers and what stories deserved telling.
Ailey’s choreography combined modern dance, ballet, jazz, and African influences into a distinctive American style. His most famous work, “Revelations,” remains one of the most performed modern dance pieces globally. The company he founded became a cultural institution representing excellence in dance and Black artistic achievement.
Expanding Access to Ailey’s Extensive Legacy
The endowment supports AILEY’s mission to expand access to Alvin Ailey’s extensive legacy beyond traditional venues. Educational programs bring dance training to underserved communities across the country and internationally. These initiatives ensure that cost doesn’t prevent talented young people from experiencing world-class dance education.
The organization’s school trains thousands of students annually in various dance styles and techniques. Many students come from backgrounds historically underrepresented in professional dance companies. AILEY’s commitment to accessibility honors Ailey’s belief that dance should be available to everyone regardless of background.
2026 National Tour Brings Dance Across America
The organization announced the endowment gift as Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater embarks on its 2026 national tour. The tour, which began January 30, will visit 20 cities across the United States. This extensive touring schedule brings AILEY’s artistry to communities nationwide, many of which have limited access to professional dance.
National tours represent significant financial and logistical undertakings that test any performing arts organization’s resources. The endowment’s stability allows AILEY to commit to these tours without compromising artistic quality or company sustainability. Audiences across America will experience the company’s celebrated repertoire and new works throughout the tour.
Creating Boldly While Honoring Tradition
Graf Mack emphasized that the endowment empowers AILEY to “create boldly” while respecting its heritage and founding principles. This balance between innovation and tradition defines successful arts organizations navigating changing cultural landscapes. The financial security allows artistic risk-taking that might otherwise feel too dangerous to attempt.
New choreographic commissions, experimental collaborations, and boundary-pushing performances become more feasible with endowment support. Yet the company remains anchored in Ailey’s original vision of celebrating Black culture through dance. This dual commitment ensures relevance while maintaining the distinctive identity that made AILEY internationally renowned.
Shaping AILEY in Profound Ways
Wallach’s involvement with AILEY extends far beyond this single gift, though it represents her largest contribution. As Board Chair, she has guided strategic decisions that positioned the organization for sustained success. Her leadership during transitional periods ensured continuity while enabling necessary evolution and adaptation.
The naming of the artistic director position after both Daria L. and Eric J. Wallach recognizes their family’s commitment. This permanent recognition ensures their values and vision remain embedded in AILEY’s governance structure indefinitely. Future directors will carry this legacy forward as they shape the company’s artistic direction.
Flexibility to Invest in Artistic Initiatives
The endowment provides AILEY with flexibility to invest in artistic initiatives that might not attract project-specific funding. Core support allows long-term planning and development of programs that build slowly over time. This patient capital proves essential for artistic excellence that cannot be rushed or reduced to quarterly metrics.
Unrestricted endowment funds enable the organization to respond quickly to unexpected opportunities or challenges without bureaucratic delays. This agility keeps AILEY competitive in attracting top choreographic talent and commissioning groundbreaking new works. The financial cushion reduces pressure to prioritize commercial appeal over artistic integrity.